How The West Is #1

Sonia's story is so compelling and her background is extraordinary, so you will definitely love this episode! Born and raised in Sydney, Sonia started out as a journalist at uni and then worked as a TV producer on Today Tonight and Sunrise before moving to London where she worked for a TV network there, and then Al Jazeera. She met her partner, who is French, back in Australia and then his job took them to Mumbai where she got pregnant and they had their first child. Her partner, Remi then decided he didn't want to be an engineer any more and suggested that they should start a Pizza Truck, and Sonia became pregnant with twins. They started their food van business in St Kilda but eventually moved it to Footscray and had a 'garage' in Braybrook. Then the Pandemic hit and they started offering takeaway pizzas from their 'garage', until tragedy hit, the week we came out of the lockdown, and one of the trucks exploded, destroying the premises. Thus, Campground Kitchen was born!

When their vans were destroyed, Sonia and Remi were devastated, but the wonderful community spirit in the inner west kicked in and someone started a GoFundMe campaign which raised enough for them to buy and refurbish another truck. From there they decided to start a restaurant and fitted out the 'garage' as a really cool venue. Campground Kitchen only opened its doors in early 2023 but is slowly building up a loyal following. You will be so inspired by Sonia's story.

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​Migrant Coffee is the brainchild of Stacey, and her best friend and co-founder, Melodee. Both are first generation Australians and they built the business to create a home away from home. One that would fit their lifestyles, and showcase their heritage with their innovative bagel fillings. Stacey's story, prior to starting the business is amazing - she (and Melodee) are hip hop enthusiasts from way back, and Stacey is also a flight attendant for private planes. Coming from New Zealand, Stacey and Melodee met in New York at a hip hop event and soon became best friends. Both knew that one day they would set up a business together, but first they wanted to travel, and Stacey ended up working for the royal family in the Middle East for many years before they decided to press go!

Migrant Coffee is a much-loved venue in the heart of Footscray and they use locals for their staff and supplies. Stacey's love of the inner west shines through in this great interview.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duncan and his friend Sam, both winemakers, decided in 2015 to start a craft brewery instead, and chose Footscray because they liked the local area. At the time, neither of them had a business plan or strategy, they decided to learn along the way, and what a success they have made it! After securing a place in Yarraville, they got to work and once they had secured their permits, and a small amount of investment, they were off and running! In this interview, Duncan explains how the business has grown, he talks about his own move to Footscray to live, and how Hop Nation is expanding it's offering to include from late September 2023.

This brewery is now also on the Mornington Peninsula (although the specialty beers are brewed locally), and having survived the pandemic surprisingly well, they are now bracing themselves for the next two years when the economic conditions are predicted to be difficult. It's a great story, and one that will no doubt inspire you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peta-Gai, or PG as she is known, is an absolute powerhouse, and she has a huge community of women that absolutely adore her. In this interview, you will find out why. PG talks about why she set up her makeup company, and that she has lived in the inner west for over 20 years. Peta-Gai is very much loved in this area, and beyond, by women who love her warm and friendly manner - and her makeup genius! PG runs her famous 'glamtorials' from her Hyde St studio and works with women of all ages, focusing on their inner beauty, and helping them apply to make-up that suits them. She talks about how Iridis is latin for 'rainbow' and that they are an inclusive company.

She and her wife Kelly run the business, and they not only teach older women how to apply makeup, but they also work with trans women to help them with their feminisation process. She discusses how she has created two online courses - one for makeup artists, and the other (about to be launched) for trans women, as well as starting a two-day in-person course for trans women. PG is fiercely loyal to the inner west community and explains why she loves it so much. She also reveals a little bit about her work with celebrities and, where she hopes to be 5 years from now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Cavallaro is the owner of Cavallaro & Sons, the famous place in Footscray for Cannoli! Tony's story is amazing as his father started the shop in the 1950s and it is still going! In this interview, he talks about his Dad arriving from Italy on his own, how he started the shop back when Footscray was quite different, and how the family has worked in the business ever since.

In fact, Tony learned to walk in the shop as a little child! Tony also talks about his beloved Bulldogs and how he cried when he attended the Grand Final in 2016, he also talks of his pride when the family was invited to Government House for an event to celebrate businesses in the West of Melbourne. This is a great episode that offers insight into what it is like running a business for over 60 years! You'll love Tony's story.

https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fab Cammarano is one of the partners of Collins & Co, the long-standing accounting firm in Paisley st, Footscray. Fab has worked in the business since the early 90s! It was his first job and he rose through the ranks.

In this episode, he talks about the history of the firm, how Les Collins started the business in a tiny one-room house on the same spot, and that the two-storey building was purpose-built after the company grew. He reminisces about how he has lived in Footscray for almost all his life, and what has changed over the years. Fab is very proud of the way they help their clients, and how they helped people cope with the lockdowns. This is a great story of resilience and community.

https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sheridan Rose West, the founder of MamaWest, a hairdressing and beauty salon in Maidstone that was started during the pandemic, in late 2021, is extraordinary! Her life story is rich with experience; leaving school at 14 to learn about makeup and hair, falling into drug addiction and her heroic effort to come clean involving 18 months in rehab, her passion for helping others and her drive to succeed. This makes it an interview you won't want to miss! As soon as you walk in the door of MamaWest, you can feel the positive vibe. The decor is gorgeous with pastels and quirky fittings and it just feels cool and really warm and friendly.

Sheridan is really open about her life, and her experiences before she arrived in the inner west. She is so passionate about the community and making a safe space for women to hang out, as well as providing luxury, high-end cutting and colouring services. During the interview, she talks about the three other women who form the co-op, and how much she loves her new business. She has learned the value of a dollar over the years and explains why she is a hanger-oner when it comes to money and how it came in handy when opening the salon during the pandemic. There is just so much gold in this interview with Sheridan.

https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristy is amazing! Born and bred in Footscray, Kristy started learning Taekwondo at 9 years of age, while she lived at school with her parents who were cleaners/caretakers. She continued to compete, eventually going on to win gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Wow! After the games, she had gone as far as possible in the sport, and she wanted to give back, so she started offering lessons at Footscray YMCA a couple of days a week whilst working full time. This grew and grew until she had to open her own dedicated premises, in Commercial St, Maidstone, in 2017.

Kristy talks about the close community she has fostered, working with disabled, autistic, and trans people as well as 'mainstream' athletes and the huge difference it has made in their lives. She definitely gets fulfilment from her work!

This interview is incredibly inspiring, when you hear what Kristy is doing to help people, you will love her. She also talks about what it was like growing up in the area, how it has changed, and some of her favourite local spots.

https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pradeep Tiwari is a legend in West Footscray and for good reason! As the president of the West Footscray Traders Association and the founder of The Festival of Lights and other Footscray festivals, Pradeep is really making a difference. He has been living in West Footscray along with his family for over 30 years. His father migrated from India to West Footscray in the 60s and worked in Olex Cables, and Pradeep came over when I was three years old.

Educated locally, he was passed down the family business of Bharat Traders by his parents, who dealt with spices and other Indian products. It started in Barkly Street in 1991 and has since expanded in food supply and various other products.

Pradeep is passionate about connecting the community - and he loves a good party - so he has big plans for the area, and the festivals, to expand. You will absolutely love his passion and his vision for WeFo! An episode not to miss.

https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.